(9) Portland Timbers (9,11,9,36 points) vs (7) San Jose Earthquakes (10,9,10, 40 points)
Wednesday September 20, 2023 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
Interim manager Miles Joseph is delivering with results by posting a positive record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. As the interim manager, he has put his team on the positive track as the Timbers are unbeaten in four consecutive matches.
Adding to the team turnaround, the offensive game has seen an uplift by scoring ten goals in five games as well ending a negative streak of eight straight games losses on the road, earning an important victory on the road as well delivering with their second away win of the season.
However, we can see the touch manager Joseph is having on this team and team confidence appears at an all time high as well as many of his players being more disciplined and being more comfortable with the game they are trying to play.
If manager Miles Joseph should be given the opportunity to take over the team on a permanent basis as he has given the Timbers locker room a more relaxed and winning attitude. There have been a lot of improvements in their game, but they are in need of stepping up a little bit more.
With the Quakes in town for a midweek game, every game and every point will count as the Timbers will need every point on the line and close on a plus. Somehow, this is becoming their end of season trademark, struggling, but closing strong.
Still, this team lately is playing a game that’s not allowing its foes any liberties to develop their game and feel relaxed and the defensive game is stepping up and shutting down the other team’s momentum.
Nothing is accomplished yet as the team still has a few games left in the season and San Jose and Colorado are on the horizon. The Timbers need to continue playing with consistency in the end and take every foe seriously so they won’t be any surprises.
Manager Joseph is doing the job and giving his players much needed rest along of making rotations in his lineup in every game alongside playing his favorite 4-3-3 formation that has the team showing off a number of positive improvements.
An interesting duel of the Western Conference as the Portland Timbers will make their drive towards the postseason ans every game as crucial and important if they are to make it in.
Photo Credit San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes Briefly
First year manager Luchi Gonzalez has turned this team around in his debut with the Silicon Valley side and currently has his team sitting in seventh place after a win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
The man has awakened a dormant giant as well making this team lethal in both its attack as well in its defensive backfield. Despite the Quakes once seeded in fourth place in the Western Conference, they are still in the thick of things.
Despite the levels of competition, this team doesn’t back down too easily, nor are they an easy foe as the mentality of its manager is working for the better of this team as well becoming more competitive.
Somehow, I foresee a much-contested affair this coming Wednesday against the Portland Timbers in a game scheduled in midweek and for both sides, losing isn’t an option, as both teams will be looking for three points alongside the win.
The Portland Timbers finally are up in the postseason spots, but they are looking forward to close on a positive note with the league entering in its final stages.
Meetings
07/22/2023 Portland Timbers 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes
06/17/2023 San Jose Earthquakes 0-0 Portland Timbers
07/23/2022 Portland Timbers 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Forecast
With both teams winning last weekend, somehow, I foresee a contested affair!
